Dan Hayes

As the seven-day countdown to the self-assessment deadline begins, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Service have revealed the top five most outrageous personal expenses claims included in last year’s returns.

There is now only one week left to submit your 2014-15 online tax return, and pay what you owe, to avoid a £100 late return penalty.

However, as a bit of light relief, this year’s top five bizarre expense claims that some taxpayers have tried, and failed, to claim for, are:

1. The costs for storing Mars bars overnight in a fridge.

2. The cost of a pair of flip flops so I don’t have to walk barefoot between my work’s changing and shower rooms.

3. The costs for my intimate waxing.

4. I bought a second hand car to get me from home to work so I didn’t have to walk.

5. I purchased my own flat, so I need to claim back the money I spent on the furniture.

Ruth Owen, HMRC director general of personal tax, said: “There are a number of items and expenses that people can claim against, such as genuine business costs and items needed to do a job.

“But a painful beauty regime or the furniture for your own home are not items that every taxpayer in the country should be contributing towards.

“It’s wrong that a small minority of people expect the honest majority to subsidise their lifestyle and HMRC will never allow for these to be processed as genuine claims.”

“With one week to go until the 31 January deadline it’s best to complete your tax return sooner rather than later. Our online service is quick and simple to use, with lots of helpful information – completing your tax return is easier than you think.”

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